*Membership spots not really limited!

Staff Writer

Kate Bishop takes centre-stage in the first ever Hawkeye annual, and it’s a hell of a lot of fun. The story begins with a return to the conversation we sort of read in #11. Only this time, we actually see what the words are, because we aren’t dogs (no offence to any dog readers out there, I have checked my biped privilege).

Clint is in some kind of funk, and Kate tries to bring him out of it, but he’s so infuriating that she heads off to LA with Lucky instead. I said it about #12, but I’ll say it again, it’s very exciting reading these issues as they explain in greater detail what exactly went down in the dog issue.

So, Kate and Lucky are in LA, where they get tangled up in a revenge scheme from Madame Masque, who was humiliated by Kate in #4 and #5. I don’t really want to talk about the plot here, not because it’s not good or important, but because, like the Hawkeye series as a whole, this book is more about a certain mood or a sense of style. This issue was wonderfully drawn by Javier Pulido, who makes some interesting choices here, particularly in his heavy use of silhouette. Seriously, every second panel in this issue is silhouetted. It’s a little distracting at first, but by the end, I was really digging it, it made for a unique read. Hawkeye is one of those books where the artwork is so important, so I’m sure there’s some reasoning behind this choice, is it because the villain of this story is someone who hides their face? Hmmm…

I also really liked the little cartoon version of Kate inside of her narrative captions, they were cute and funny. That narration was also very important to this story, because getting inside her head made me really like Kate Bishop a lot more. Up until now, in both this book and Young Avengers, she’s been this surface-level bad-ass who’s good at everything and is super-cool and great, but here, we find out who she really is. I particularly liked the scenes with her Dad and her step-mother, they were really illuminating. This was another great issue of Hawkguy, there’s not much else to say really, you need to be reading this book.

Staff Writer

Kate Bishop takes centre-stage in the first ever Hawkeye annual, and it’s a hell of a lot of fun. The story begins with a return to the conversation we sort of read in #11. Only this time, we actually see what the words are, because we aren’t dogs (no offence to any dog readers out there, I have checked my biped privilege).

Clint is in some kind of funk, and Kate tries to bring him out of it, but he’s so infuriating that she heads off to LA with Lucky instead. I said it about #12, but I’ll say it again, it’s very exciting reading these issues as they explain in greater detail what exactly went down in the dog issue.

So, Kate and Lucky are in LA, where they get tangled up in a revenge scheme from Madame Masque, who was humiliated by Kate in #4 and #5. I don’t really want to talk about the plot here, not because it’s not good or important, but because, like the Hawkeye series as a whole, this book is more about a certain mood or a sense of style. This issue was wonderfully drawn by Javier Pulido, who makes some interesting choices here, particularly in his heavy use of silhouette. Seriously, every second panel in this issue is silhouetted. It’s a little distracting at first, but by the end, I was really digging it, it made for a unique read. Hawkeye is one of those books where the artwork is so important, so I’m sure there’s some reasoning behind this choice, is it because the villain of this story is someone who hides their face? Hmmm…

I also really liked the little cartoon version of Kate inside of her narrative captions, they were cute and funny. That narration was also very important to this story, because getting inside her head made me really like Kate Bishop a lot more. Up until now, in both this book and Young Avengers, she’s been this surface-level bad-ass who’s good at everything and is super-cool and great, but here, we find out who she really is. I particularly liked the scenes with her Dad and her step-mother, they were really illuminating. This was another great issue of Hawkguy, there’s not much else to say really, you need to be reading this book.

Son of Stein

It is a good book but I found myself being let down by the constant overuse of silhouettes. At first it was interesting, then cute but after the umpteenth blackedout individual it just smacked of artistic laziness to me.

Son of Stein

It is a good book but I found myself being let down by the constant overuse of silhouettes. At first it was interesting, then cute but after the umpteenth blackedout individual it just smacked of artistic laziness to me.

Motherfucker from Hell

I liked the cartoon captions too. They reminded me of the similar device in Fraction's Casanova work, though it was more of an aside there than anything.

I guess now it makes sense why Wacker announced that the issues will be alternating between Clint and Kate for the next few issues. I'm looking forward to seeing the return of the artist who did the romance comic covers a few issues back, and hope the next few issues delve headfirst into the business with the Clown.

Motherfucker from Hell

I liked the cartoon captions too. They reminded me of the similar device in Fraction's Casanova work, though it was more of an aside there than anything.

I guess now it makes sense why Wacker announced that the issues will be alternating between Clint and Kate for the next few issues. I'm looking forward to seeing the return of the artist who did the romance comic covers a few issues back, and hope the next few issues delve headfirst into the business with the Clown.

Outhouse Drafter

The first thing that I want to say is that this may have been my least favorite issue of this series so far. Now, having said that, I want to say that I still really enjoyed this issue and it was one of my favorite books this week. I love that this series isn't just about Clint Barton. In a lot of ways, this series actually reminds me of James Robinson's Starman run. When Kate Bishop was first introduced during Young Avengers, she was easily the breakout character of the book for me. Unfortunately, the character has had some rough spots since her introduction but Fraction is taking the time to show us once again why she is capable of standing toe-to-toe with more powerful and experienced heroes.

Not only has Fraction expanded Clint Barton's world outside of the Avengers, he has also begun expanding Kate's. Now she is starting to develop her own rogue's gallery and what a way to start than with Madame Masque! I can't wait for all of the pieces to fall into place because I have a feeling that when they do, the results are going to be huge!

Outhouse Drafter

The first thing that I want to say is that this may have been my least favorite issue of this series so far. Now, having said that, I want to say that I still really enjoyed this issue and it was one of my favorite books this week. I love that this series isn't just about Clint Barton. In a lot of ways, this series actually reminds me of James Robinson's Starman run. When Kate Bishop was first introduced during Young Avengers, she was easily the breakout character of the book for me. Unfortunately, the character has had some rough spots since her introduction but Fraction is taking the time to show us once again why she is capable of standing toe-to-toe with more powerful and experienced heroes.

Not only has Fraction expanded Clint Barton's world outside of the Avengers, he has also begun expanding Kate's. Now she is starting to develop her own rogue's gallery and what a way to start than with Madame Masque! I can't wait for all of the pieces to fall into place because I have a feeling that when they do, the results are going to be huge!

Motherfucker from Hell

It would be ideal if these stories ended with Kate running a newly revamped West Coast Avengers in a few years. I have no use for Young Avengers, so some of the cast of that book could make the move with her.

Motherfucker from Hell

It would be ideal if these stories ended with Kate running a newly revamped West Coast Avengers in a few years. I have no use for Young Avengers, so some of the cast of that book could make the move with her.

Wrasslin' Fan

As for this issue, I agree that Madame Masque makes a great first addition to Kate's rogue's gallery. I thought the artwork really added a lot to the story and I agree that this was true of the little cartoon panels in particular. If there was one fault I had with this issue it would be that I thought it was a little long. I'm not sure this story need to be anything more than a normal issue of Hawkeye rather than an annual. In the end though, this feeling wasn't anything near enough to wreck my enjoyment.

Wrasslin' Fan

As for this issue, I agree that Madame Masque makes a great first addition to Kate's rogue's gallery. I thought the artwork really added a lot to the story and I agree that this was true of the little cartoon panels in particular. If there was one fault I had with this issue it would be that I thought it was a little long. I'm not sure this story need to be anything more than a normal issue of Hawkeye rather than an annual. In the end though, this feeling wasn't anything near enough to wreck my enjoyment.